From making colourful rangolis and decking up homes with bright lights and diyas to hogging on our favourite desserts, Diwali is all this and more! Also known as the festival of lights, Diwali is one of the biggest celebrations of the year in India and people come together to celebrate it with full enthusiasm. But did you know that this festival isn’t limited to India alone? Here are 10 such countries where Diwali is celebrated with almost similar enthusiasm to India!
10 Countries That Celebrate Diwali, Other Than India
1. Nepal
Diwali is known as Tihar in Nepal and is celebrated for five days. People in Nepal, just like India, worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha and seek their blessings. According to Wikipedia, on the first day of Tihar, people in Nepal pray and feed cows. On day two, they celebrate Kukur Tihar to honour dogs. Dogs are worshipped on this day and special meals are prepared for them. On the third day, people light up diyas to celebrate the victory and return of lord Rama. Lord Yama, the God of death, is celebrated and worshipped on the fourth day. Finally, on the fifth day, they celebrate Bhai Dooj, just like India.
2. Sri Lanka
Popularly known as Deepawali, Sri Lanka also celebrates the festival of light with full enthusiasm. It is one of the main festivals of the Tamil community in the country and is widely celebrated in the Northern and Eastern provinces there. In fact, it is a public holiday in some parts of the country as well. Just like India, they light up oil lamps, deck up their homes, and make lots of sweet dishes to celebrate the festival.
Also Read: From Sweets To Savouries, 21 Best Diwali Menus Across India Perfect For The Festival Of Lights!
3. Singapore
With a significant Indian population on the island, Singapore lights up every year during Diwali. Diwali celebration is prominent in many areas like the vibrant suburb of Little India. Streets across the neighbourhood are lit up with bright lights and colourful decorations and cultural programmes, flea markets, and more are lined up days before the festivities.
4. Mauritius
Mauritius has almost 50% Hindu population and it comes as no surprise that the festival of lights is celebrated with full gusto in the country! Diwali is a public holiday in this country and people celebrate it by decking up their homes with rangolis and lights. Even the temples and streets here are decorated as people come together to celebrate the festival.
5. Malaysia
Also known as Hari Diwali, Malaysians celebrate Diwali for five days. Diwali is a national holiday as the festival is celebrated all over the island country! Streets are beautifully decorated and brilliantly lit days before the festival. On the day of Diwali, people in Malaysia take a bath in oil before dawn, clean up their homes, perform pujas, and then head out to the temples.
Also Read: Do You Know About Diyai, Uttarakhand’s Jaunsar-Bawar Tribal Diwali Celebrated A Month Later?
6. Fiji
Diwali is one of the main festivals of Fiji. It is a public holiday and according to Lonely Planet, the island has been celebrating the festival since 1879, when Indians first entered the island country. Not just Indo-Fijian, the festival is widely celebrated by all communities in the country. From Suva to Nadi, major cities of the country host cultural programmes, and markets, and light up the neighbourhoods in the spirit of Diwali.
7. South Africa
Due to the Indian diaspora in South Africa, Diwali has become a major festival in the country. In fact, there has been news that the country might soon observe a national holiday on Diwali day. People light up their homes with lots of diyas, perform pujas, visit temples, and host cultural events and programmes to celebrate the festival together.
8. Trinidad And Tobago
With cultural events, music shows, and lots of good food, Trinidad and Tobago celebrates Diwali like none other! The country has one of the largest East Indian populations in the entire Caribbean region and that’s why they celebrate Diwali with full fervour. They also observe a national holiday on the day of Diwali.
Also Read: What Is The Significance Of Oil Bath Ritual On Naraka Chaturdashi Or Choti Diwali In Southern India?
9. Guyana
The South American country of Guyana celebrates Diwali as per the Hindu calendar, with full zeal. They, in fact, observe a national holiday as well on this day. The festival was first celebrated in the country in the 1980s and has since become an inseparable part of its cultural heritage. Just like in India, they light up their homes, distribute sweets, and visit family and friends during Diwali.
10. Thailand
Diwali in Thailand is celebrated as Loi Krathong. The festival is celebrated on the full moon day of the 12th month according to the Thai calendar. People light up lamps made from banana leaves and deck up their homes with them. After the celebration, people set the lamps afloat on a river. This tradition is followed to kill darkness and light up the world. They also release hot air balloons made of rice paper to light up the sky and kill darkness. Boat parades, cultural performances, and fireworks are also a major part of Loi Krathong celebrations!
It’s quite interesting to see how people across the world celebrate Diwali!
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva & Wikimedia